U.S. patent application number 13/716299 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-27 for medical injection device and method for controlling the medical injection device.
The applicant listed for this patent is STEFAN ASSMANN, BJORN HEISMANN, RETO MERGES, MARKUS SCHMIDT, SEBASTIAN SCHMIDT, KERA WESTPHAL. Invention is credited to STEFAN ASSMANN, BJORN HEISMANN, RETO MERGES, MARKUS SCHMIDT, SEBASTIAN SCHMIDT, KERA WESTPHAL.
Application Number | 20130165775 13/716299 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48575306 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130165775 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ASSMANN; STEFAN ; et
al. |
June 27, 2013 |
MEDICAL INJECTION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE MEDICAL
INJECTION DEVICE
Abstract
An injection device and methods for controlling the injection
device are provided. Patient data for a patient to be treated are
provided and an injection preparation (injectable) used in the
injection device is automatically identified by the injection
device automatically reading a label provided on a container of the
injection preparation. Furthermore, contraindications for an
identified injection preparation are determined. The patient data
are compared with the any contraindication that has been determined
At least one protective measure is adopted to prevent the injection
when at least one contraindication matches the patient data.
According to another variant of the method, patient data for a
patient to be treated and contraindications for the injection
preparations (injectables) available for a selection are
established. The patient data are compared with the
contraindications, wherein at least one injection preparation is
suggested which contraindications do not match the patient
data.
Inventors: |
ASSMANN; STEFAN; (Erlangen,
DE) ; HEISMANN; BJORN; (Erlangen, DE) ;
MERGES; RETO; (Erlangen, DE) ; SCHMIDT; MARKUS;
(Nuernberg, DE) ; SCHMIDT; SEBASTIAN; (Weisendorf,
DE) ; WESTPHAL; KERA; (Berlin, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ASSMANN; STEFAN
HEISMANN; BJORN
MERGES; RETO
SCHMIDT; MARKUS
SCHMIDT; SEBASTIAN
WESTPHAL; KERA |
Erlangen
Erlangen
Erlangen
Nuernberg
Weisendorf
Berlin |
|
DE
DE
DE
DE
DE
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
48575306 |
Appl. No.: |
13/716299 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/432 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G16H 30/40 20180101;
A61B 6/4494 20130101; G16H 20/17 20180101; A61M 5/007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/432 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 50/24 20060101
G06Q050/24; A61M 5/00 20060101 A61M005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 22, 2011 |
DE |
102011089620.1 |
Claims
1. A method of controlling an injection device, comprising:
providing patient data for a patient to be treated, automatically
identifying an injection preparation for an injection device,
wherein the injection device automatically reads a label applied
onto a container of the injection preparation, determining
contraindications of the injection preparation which have been
identified, comparing the patient data with the contraindications
which have been determined, and adopting a protective measure in
order to prevent an injection when at least one contraindication
matches the patient data.
2. The method of controlling an injection device, providing patient
data for a patient to be treated, identifying contraindications of
available injection preparations, comparing the patient data with
the contraindications which have been identified, and suggesting at
least one injection preparation with contraindications which are
inapplicable to the patient data.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the available
injection preparations are automatically preselected from a
plurality of injection preparations in accordance with a
predetermined treatment instruction.
4. The method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: inserting
the at least one injection preparation into an injection device,
checking whether the at least one injection preparation that has
been inserted into the injection device corresponds with a
suggested injection preparation, adopting at least one protective
measure in order to prevent an injection when the at least one
injection preparation that has been inserted into the injection
device does not correspond with the suggested injection
preparation.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one
injection preparation used in the injection device is automatically
identified.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a warning signal is
issued as the protective measure.
7. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein a warning signal is
issued as the protective measure.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the injection of the
injection preparation is automatically blocked as a protective
measure.
9. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the injection of the
injection of the injection preparation is automatically blocked as
a protective measure.
10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an injection rate and
an injection interval are established by comparing the patient data
with a predetermined set of instructions for use of the injection
preparation that has been identified or suggested.
11. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein an injection rate and
an injection interval are established by comparing the patient data
with a predetermined set of instructions for use of the injection
preparation that has been identified or suggested.
12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the injection device
is automatically adjusted to the injection rate and the injection
interval which have been established.
13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the injection device
is automatically adjusted to the injection rate and the injection
interval which have been established.
14. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
determining a temperature of the injection preparation based upon a
predetermined set of instructions for use of the injection
preparation that has been identified or suggested.
15. The method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:
determining a temperature of the injection preparation based upon a
predetermined set of instructions for use of the injection
preparation that has been identified or suggested.
16. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein a temperature
control unit in the injection device is automatically adjusted to
the temperature which has been determined.
17. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein a temperature
control unit in the injection device is automatically adjusted to
the temperature which has been determined.
18. An injection device, comprising: a control unit which is
configured to automatically carry out a method as claimed in claim
1.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of German Patent
Application No. 10 2011 089 620.1 DE filed Dec. 22, 2011. All of
the applications are incorporated by reference herein in their
entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] An injection device and a method for controlling the
injection device are provided.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] Injection devices are used in particular in image-generating
medical technology, for example in computer tomography (CT),
rotation angiography, magnetic resonance tomography (MR), positron
emission tomography (PET) or single-photon emission computed
tomography (SPECT), in order to inject a contrast medium into the
body of a patient who is to be examined, before or during image
capture and in measured doses. Furthermore, injection devices are
also used for slow discharge of drugs, that is, extending over a
fairly long period, and for the automatically controlled discharge
of infusions. The generic term "injection preparation" is used
hereafter for the substance to be injected, that is in particular,
the contrast medium, the drug or the infusion solution.
[0004] In a conventional design, such an injection device is
embodied for the automatic emptying of a syringe or other kind of
capsule containing the injection preparation. Such an injection
device, which is also known as a "syringe pump", usually includes a
mounting into which the syringe or capsule filled with injection
preparation can be placed. The injection device further includes an
advancing mechanism, by means of which the syringe piston having an
adjustable advance movement can be pushed in or the volume of
injection preparation can be compressed in another way such that
the injection preparation contained in the syringe or capsule can
be discharged at a predeterminable rate.
[0005] In an alternative version, used in particular for the
administration of infusions, the injection device includes a pump,
by means of which the injection preparation can be discharged in a
controlled manner from a reservoir container.
[0006] In both versions, the injection device additionally contains
a control unit, by means of which the discharge rate of the
injection preparation and/or the discharge period can be
adjusted.
[0007] In image-generating medical technology in particular, the
contrast media used here as injection preparations have to be
selected extremely carefully, in order to achieve optimum
effectiveness whilst avoiding side effects and complications as far
as possible, for example, as a consequence of allergies. This
selection is usually left to the medical staff. The contrast medium
to be used is typically selected on the basis of a patient
interview, relating in particular to the height and weight of the
patient, and to existing intolerances. If this information is
incomplete or incorrect, because, for example, the patient has not
been asked about certain risk factors or withholds important
information in ignorance of the interactions, this may lead to the
selection of an unsuitable contrast medium, and as a result thereof
to sometimes drastic complications. For example, in a patient
suffering from renal insufficiency, the administration of contrast
media containing gadolinium may cause serious disease progressions,
for example, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, with in some cases
permanent disabilities or even fatal consequences.
[0008] A method and a device in which patient data on file are
compared with the data for the injection preparation in order to
reduce the level of complications, are known, for example, from DE
10 2005 046 784 A1.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0009] An object is to further develop an injection device and a
method for the control thereof in such a way that the risk of
injecting the wrong injection preparation is reduced. The object is
achieved by methods and a device as claimed in the claims.
[0010] According to a first provided method, patient data relating
to a patient who is to be treated are established from a hospital
information system. Furthermore, according to the method, an
injection preparation used in the injection device (that is,
inserted into the injection device) is identified, that is,
recognized by what type it is. For example, either directly or
indirectly, a product identification explicitly assigned to the
injection preparation and/or the type and amount or concentration
of an active ingredient contained in the injection preparation is
established. Finally, contraindications of the injection
preparation that has been identified are established from a
database of medicinal products, for example. The patient data are
now automatically compared with the contraindication or with each
contraindication that has been established. A protective measure
that is directed at the prevention of the injection is adopted if
the comparison described in the aforementioned results in at least
one contraindication applying to the patient information.
[0011] According to a second provided method, patient data for a
patient to be treated being are established from a hospital
information system. Furthermore, contraindications for a range of
injection preparations available for selection are established, for
example, from a database of medicinal products. In this embodiment,
the patient data are again compared with the contraindication or
with each contraindication that has been established. Here,
however, the result of this comparison is evaluated such that at
least one of the (optionally a plurality of) injection preparations
where the contraindications do not apply to the patient data is
suggested for use in an injection. All injection preparations where
the contraindications do not apply to the patient data are
preferably suggested for use in an injection.
[0012] In the second variant of the method, in order to avoid
overloading the corresponding list of suggestions, that is
therefore, to minimize the number of injection preparations that
are deemed suitable and thus allow a user to make a simple and
targeted selection, the injection preparations available for
selection have preferably been automatically pre-selected from a
fairly wide range of basically available injection preparations
according to predetermined treatment instructions, that is,
according to instructions regarding the type of medical treatment
or investigation intended. The treatment instructions may also
consist in particular in the specifying of an image-generating
medical modality or investigation method (for example, CT, PET, MR,
SPECT, etc.) or include such a modality or method. On the basis of
these instructions, only contrast media that may be used with this
modality or investigation method are preselected and considered in
the further procedure. For example, where the treatment
instructions are for "PET", only radiopharmaceuticals that emit the
positron rays detected in PET (indirectly via the corresponding
annihilation radiation) are selected as injection preparations.
[0013] Treatment instructions may be provided in particular
automatically to the injection device by the modality assigned
thereto. To this end, the injection device is preferably connected
to the assigned modality by communications technology.
[0014] Both variants of the method which are described in the
aforementioned are based on the shared knowledge that, by comparing
the patient data obtained from the hospital information system with
the contraindications, those injection preparations that are linked
to a possible risk for the patient to be treated can be ruled out
in a fail-safe manner.
[0015] Both variants of the method which are described in the
aforementioned may be carried out in isolation from each other,
that is, separately. Preferably, however, these variants are used
in combination with each other. This involves, according to the
second variant of the method, one or a plurality of injection
preparations where the contraindications do not apply to the
patient data initially being suggested for the injection. After
successful insertion of an injection preparation into the injection
device, the injection preparation used is then identified (as in
the first variant of the method). In the process a check is carried
out as to whether the injection preparation used matches the
suggested injection preparation or (where a plurality of injection
preparations have been suggested) one of the suggested injection
preparations. If this is not the case, a protective measure is
adopted to prevent the injection being administered (again as in
the first variant of the method).
[0016] In both variants of the method, the identification of the
injection preparation used in the injection device is achieved
automatically, by the injection device automatically reading a
label affixed to a container of the injection preparation. This
label is in particular a bar code or color code, what is known as
an RFID tag or such like, which clearly identifies the type of
injection preparation used.
[0017] As a protective measure adopted to prevent the injection
being administered, provision can be made where an incorrect
(unsuitable) injection preparation has been identified, for the
injection device to generate and emit an acoustic, visual or other
form of warning that is detectable by a user of the device. This
warning preferably consists of the issuing of an acoustic warning
sound in combination with a verbal message that is issued on a
visual display unit assigned to the injection device and that
alerts the user to the lack of suitability of the injection
preparation that is being used.
[0018] In a particularly fail-safe embodiment of the method, as an
alternative to or in addition to the warning, provision can be made
for the injection device, as a protective measure when an
unsuitable injection preparation is identified, to automatically
block the discharge (injection) thereof. This block can be achieved
for example, by the advancing drive or the pump in the injection
device being automatically deactivated.
[0019] In a development of the variants of the method, an injection
rate and/or an injection interval are/is established by comparing
the patient data relating to the patient to be treated with a set
of instructions for the use of an injection preparation that has
been identified or suggested. Corresponding sets of instructions
for use are preferably stored in a database of medicinal products.
In the preferred variant of the method the injection device is
automatically adjusted to the injection rate and/or to the
injection interval that have been established. As an alternative
thereto, provision can indeed also be made for the injection rate
or the injection interval that have been established to be issued
to the user as a suggestion for the manual adjustment of the
injection device.
[0020] In a further embodiment of the method, provision is made
using a set of instructions (stored in a database of medicinal
products, for example, as described in the aforementioned) for use
of the injection preparation that has been identified or suggested,
for a desired temperature of the injection preparation to be
established automatically. In this case provision is preferably
made for a temperature control unit in the injection device to be
automatically set to the desired temperature that has been
established. Alternatively, it is also possible for the desired
temperature that has been established to be issued to the user as a
suggestion for the corresponding adjustment of the injection
device.
[0021] The injection device includes a control unit that is
equipped with circuitry technology and/or program technology
enabling it to carry out the method automatically in one of the
variants of the method described in the aforementioned. The control
unit may consist of a microcontroller that is incorporated in the
injection device, in which controller the instructions required to
carry out the method automatically are provided in the form of
control software and are ready to run.
[0022] In an alternative embodiment, the control unit is purely a
software module that can also be used independently of the
injection device, for example, on a control computer pertaining to
the image-generating modality.
[0023] To carry out the method, the injection device, or at least
the control unit thereof is preferably connected to the hospital
information system by communications technology in order to
establish the patient data. To establish the contraindications, and
likewise optionally the set of instructions for use, the injection
device, or at least the control unit thereof, is preferably
connected to a database of medicinal products. Furthermore, the
injection device is preferably connected by communications
technology to the image-generating modality.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 shows an image-generating medical modality in a
schematic block diagram, shown here in the form of an X-ray C-arm
system having an injection device assigned thereto and likewise a
hospital information system and a database of medicinal products,
which are connected with the C-arm system and the injection device
via a communications network.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram showing in greater
detail the injection device according to FIG. 1.
[0026] FIGS. 3 to 5 show three variants of a method for the control
of the injection device.
[0027] The same reference signs are used consistently in all the
figures to denote parts and values that are equivalent to one
another.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0028] FIG. 1 shows a device 1 for contrast-assisted capturing of
image data from inside the body of the patient 2. The device 1
includes as an image-generating modality an (X-ray) C-arm device 3,
for example in rotation angiography, and likewise a control and
evaluation data processor 4. The device 1 further includes an
injection device 5 assigned to the C-arm device 3.
[0029] The C-arm device 3 includes a C-arm 6, at both ends of which
an X-ray source 7 or an X-ray detector 8 are mounted facing each
other. The C-arm 6 is in turn supported on a base 9. The C-arm is
rotatable round a horizontal axis with respect to said base 9. It
is additionally pivotable along the line of the arc--that is, in
the plane defined by the C-arm.
[0030] A central beam 10 of the C-arm device 3 can thus be adjusted
in virtually any orientations with respect to the surrounding
space. Here the central beam 10 denotes the spatial vector which
connects a focusing mechanism 11 of the X-ray source 7 to a center
of the X-ray detector 8, and which in particular is aligned
vertically to the surface of the detector. The central beam 10
forms the center of a cone-shaped X-ray beam, which center is
projected onto the two-dimensional detector surface of the X-ray
detector 8 during the operation of the C-arm device 3, starting out
from the focusing mechanism 11.
[0031] Instead of the C-arm device 3 described in the
aforementioned, the device 1 can, however, also include a different
image-generating modality, which can be used in contrast-assisted
image generation, for example, a computer tomograph (CT), a
magnetic resonance (MR) tomograph, a positron-emission tomograph
(PET), or a single photon emission computed tomograph, (SPECT for
short). Merely for the sake of simplification and without limiting
the generality, reference will be made hereafter exclusively to the
C-arm device 3.
[0032] Assigned to said device is a patient couch 13 on which the
patient 2 can be placed in such a way that the patient's body
region to be investigated is arranged in the image capture zone of
the C-arm device 3.
[0033] During the operation of the device 1, the C-arm 6 is moved
round the body region to be captured in the patient 2 who is placed
on the patient couch 13, a plurality of projected images of this
body region being captured from various projection directions using
the X-ray source 7 and the X-ray detector 8. The C-arm device 3
submits a projection image data set P comprising these projection
images to the computer 4.
[0034] In the data processor 4, software 14 is implemented, which
is used firstly to activate the C-arm device 3, and secondly to
prepare the projection image data set P, the software 14 being
configured in particular for the reconstruction (back projection)
of the projection image data set P into a three-dimensional image
data set of the inside of the body of the patient 2. The
three-dimensional image data set will be referred to hereafter as a
tomogram T.
[0035] The completed tomogram T can be stored locally in the data
processor 4 or in an external image archive (not shown explicitly).
Additionally or alternatively, displayable, two-dimensional
representations can be generated from the tomogram T, for example,
layered image representations or visualized ("generated") volume
representations, and displayed on a visual display unit 15.
[0036] The C-arm device 3 and/or the control and evaluation data
processor thereof 4 and the injection device 5 are incorporated
into a communications network 16, in particular into what is known
as a Local Area Network (LAN) and via this network 16 are able to
exchange data bilaterally with further data processing components
of a medical installation. In particular, the C-arm device 3 or the
data processor thereof 4 and the injection device 5 are linked up
via the network 16 with a Hospital Information System 17 (HIS for
short) and also with a database of medicinal products 18. In the
Hospital Information System 17, electronic patient files 19 are
managed with patient data D. The database of medicinal products 18
stores in particular contraindications G and sets of instructions
for use U in order to dose out and use the medicinal products
available. The information stored in the database of medicinal
products 18 includes, in particular, contraindications G and sets
of instructions for use U relating to the contrast media K used by
the injection device 5 as injection preparations.
[0037] The design of the injection device 5, which, in the example
shown is configured in the style of an injection pump, is
illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 2. According to this
representation, the injection device 5 contains a mounting 20, into
which a syringe 21 filled with the contrast medium K that is to be
injected can be placed. The injection device 5 further includes an
advancing mechanism 22, by means of which a piston 23 in the
syringe 21 can be pushed forward to empty said syringe. In the
embodiment used by way of example, the advancing mechanism 22
includes a slider 24, which is linearly guided along a track 25 in
the longitudinal direction L of the syringe 21 that is housed in
the mounting 20. The slider 24 is coupled here by means of an
adjustment mechanism 26 (merely indicated in FIG. 2) to an electric
motor 27 and can be pushed forward towards the syringe 21 at an
adjustable speed with the aid of the motor 27.
[0038] In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the injection device
5 additionally includes a keypad 28 with which a user of the device
1 can make alphanumeric inputs E, a display panel (hereafter
referred to as display 29) to issue alphanumeric suggestions H and
also to confirm the user's inputs E, and likewise a speaker 30,
through which acoustic warnings W (in particular in the form of
warning tones) can be issued to the user. The injection device 5
additionally contains a reading device 31 (in the form of a
barcode-reader here), with which a label applied onto the syringe
21 (in particular a barcode 32) can be read electronically.
[0039] The injection device 5 also includes a control unit 33 to
control the electric motor 27, the keypad 28, the display 29, the
speaker 30 and the reading device 31. The control unit 33 is
additionally connected via a network interface 34 to the
communications network 16.
[0040] In the preferred embodiment, the control unit 33 is
essentially made up of a microcontroller in which control software
35 is incorporated in a ready to run format. This control software
35 and hence the control unit 33 enable the method sketched out in
diagram form in FIG. 3 to be carried out automatically when the
injection device 5 is operated according to specifications. This
method is automatically carried out prior to each injection of a
contrast medium K into the body of the patient 2 administered using
the injection device 5. The injection can therefore only be
administered after successful completion of the method.
[0041] In the preferred embodiment, the method according to FIG. 3
is carried out automatically by the data processor 4 of the C-arm
device 3 in the run-up to a contrast-assisted image capture, the
name of the patient 2 to be examined or alternatively a patient
identification number being supplied via the network 16 to the
injection device 5 in a (method) step 40 by the data processor 4.
As an alternative thereto, it is also possible for a user of the
device 1 to initiate the method by inputting the name of the
patient 2 or the patient's patient identification number into the
injection device 5 via the keypad 28.
[0042] In a (method) step 41, using the patient's name or patient
identification number, the control software 35 then loads, via the
network 16, the patient data D for the patient 2 from the patient
file 19 stored in the Hospital information system 17.
[0043] In a further (method) step 42, the control software 35
checks whether a labeled syringe 21 has been placed into the
mounting 20 of the injection device 5 and whether a bar code 32 can
be read accordingly by the reading device 31. The syringe 21 is
preferably a ready-made capsule of contrast medium, which has
already been pre-filled by the manufacturer with a specific
contrast medium K. In this case, the bar code 32 that clearly
identifies the contrast medium K has usefully been securely affixed
already by the manufacturer onto the syringe 21, such that, when
the syringe 21 has been placed into the mounting 20 according to
specifications, the code is located in the field of view of the
reading device 31.
[0044] Alternatively, it is also possible for the syringe 21 to be
a standard disposable syringe, which is not specified for a
particular contrast medium K, and into which is inserted the
contrast medium K that is to be used for the injection in each
case. In this case the bar code 32 is usefully applied onto an
adhesive label which is stuck onto the syringe 21 by the user of
the device 1 after a specific contrast medium K has been
inserted.
[0045] Step 42 is repeated by the control software 35 until no more
contrast medium K can be identified using the reading device 31
(N).
[0046] Conversely, as soon as a specific contrast medium K has been
identified (Y), in a (method) step 43, the control software 35
loads the contraindications G stored for this contrast medium K
with the aid of the name of the contrast medium K that has been
identified from the database of medicinal products 18.
[0047] In a subsequent (method) step 44, the control software 35
checks whether any of the contraindications G that have been
uploaded for the contrast medium K that has been identified match
the patient data D uploaded for the patient 2. If, for example, the
contraindications G that have been uploaded contain the instruction
that the contrast medium K should not be used where the patient 2
suffers from renal insufficiency, the control software 35 checks
against the patient data D as to whether the patient 2 suffers from
renal insufficiency. If on the other hand the contraindications
that have been uploaded G specify that the contrast medium K should
not be used with patients who are below a certain age, the control
software 35 then uses the date of birth contained in the patient
data D to check whether the patient 2 is of a sufficient age for
the contrast medium K to be administered.
[0048] Insofar as this check produces a negative result (N), that
is, insofar as none of the contraindications G that have been
uploaded match the patient data D, the control software releases
the injection in a (method) step 45. In this case, in a (method)
step 46, the control software 35 loads from the database of
medicinal products 18 the set of instructions for use U that have
been stored for the contrast medium K that has been identified and
sets the advancing speed of the motor 27 and the temperature of a
temperature control unit that is incorporated in the mounting 20
(not shown in more detail) according to the advice given in the set
of instructions for use U that have been uploaded.
[0049] Otherwise (Y), that is, insofar as one of the
contraindications G that have been uploaded matches the uploaded
patient data D, the control software 35 cuts off the motor 27, in a
(method) step 47, such that the motor 27 cannot be set in motion by
different control instructions given by the user or the data
processor 4.
[0050] In this case, in order to make the user aware of this
cut-off, the control software issues the acoustic warning W via the
speaker 30, in a (method) step 48. Furthermore, the control
software 35 issues the advice H via the display 29. The advice H
is, for example, a text message which indicates that the contrast
medium K that has been identified must not be used on the patient 2
because of the contraindication G.
[0051] An alternative variant of the method is shown in FIG. 4.
This method differs from the variant of the method described in the
aforementioned in that the control software 35 does not react to
the selection of a certain contrast medium K by the user, but the
control software 35 is already activated before this selection is
made and supports the user therein. In this variant, too, the
method is again initiated by the data processor 4 in a (method)
step 50, the name of the patient 2 or a corresponding patient
identification number being transmitted to the control software 35
via the network 16.
[0052] Additionally, in a useful embodiment of the method, a
"treatment instruction", specifying the type of modality and
likewise optionally containing in addition an instruction about the
type of investigation planned using this modality, is transmitted
to the control software 35. In the example shown, the treatment
instruction that the control software 35 receives consists of the
information that the image-generating modality is the C-arm device
3.
[0053] Subsequent to step 50, the control software 35 reads the
patient data D for the patient 2 from the Hospital Information
System 17 with the method step 41 already described in connection
with FIG. 3. Next, the control software 35 checks in a subsequent
(method) step 51 whether a set of instructions for use U of a
contrast medium K can be read from the database of medicinal
products 18. This condition is regularly met the first time method
step 51 is carried out.
[0054] Optionally (Y), by comparing the set of instructions for use
U that has been read with the treatment instruction, the control
software 35 checks in a subsequent (method) step 52 whether the
corresponding contrast medium K is usable in the modality that is
assigned to the injection device 5, here that is, to the C-arm
device 3 and (if this information is provided) whether the planned
type of treatment can be carried out. If this is not the case (N),
the control software 35 reverts to step 51.
[0055] When method step 51 is repeated, this involves the contrast
media K listed in the database of medicinal products 18 being
worked through in turn. The nth time that (n=1, 2, 3, and so on)
step 51 is carried out, the control software 35 therefore attempts
to read the set of instructions for use U of the nth contrast
medium K listed in the database of medicinal products 18.
[0056] If the verification carried out in step 52 has a positive
outcome (Y), that is, if according to the set of instructions for
use U that has currently been read, the contrast medium K under
examination is compatible with the modality specified in the
treatment instruction and with the optionally specified type of
investigation, then in a (method) step 53 arranged downstream, the
control software 35 reads the contraindications G for the contrast
medium K under consideration from the database of medicinal
products 18.
[0057] In a subsequent (method) step 54, the control software 35
checks (as in method step 44 according to FIG. 3) whether any of
the contraindications G that have been uploaded for the contrast
medium K in question match the patient data D for the patient 2.
Insofar as this is the case (Y), the control software 35 reverts to
step 51 and consequently reads the set of instructions for use G
for the next contrast medium K listed in the database of medicinal
products 18 (insofar as this is available).
[0058] Otherwise, where none of the contraindications G that have
been uploaded match the patient data D for the patient 2 (N), in a
(method) step 55, the control software 35 stores a clearly
identifiable name for the contrast medium K in question, storing in
particular the product name of the contrast medium or a product
number in a suggestion list. Next, the control software again
reverts to step 51 and consequently reads the set of instructions
for use U for the next contrast medium K listed in the database of
medicinal products 18 (insofar as this is available). This software
loop is run until all the contrast media K listed in the database
of medicinal products 18 have been worked through, and consequently
the check carried out in step 51 produces a negative result
(N).
[0059] In this case, in a (method) step 56, the control software 35
issues the suggestion list generated in step 55, via the display
29, which list is filled successively with names denoting the
suitable contrast media K after the software loop described in the
aforementioned has been run a plurality of times. Alternatively
provision can also be made for the injection device 5 to transmit
the suggestion list to the data processor 4 via the network 16 for
display on the visual display unit 15 or print it out using a
printer (not shown in more detail).
[0060] With the aid of the suggestion list, the user can select in
a fail-safe manner a contrast medium K that is suitable both for
the investigation that is to be carried out using the C-arm device
3 and for the individual patient 2.
[0061] To make the method more fail-safe, in a third variant of the
method that is shown in FIG. 5, the variants of the method
described in the aforementioned with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4
are combined with each other. Here, a first method step 60 of the
method according to FIG. 5 is similar to the method shown in FIG.
4. The final step thereof, step 56, that is, the issuing of the
suggestion list containing the contrast media K that have been
found to be suitable is followed according to FIG. 5 by a second
method step 61 that essentially corresponds to the method according
to FIG. 3. In the context of this method step 61, the control
software 35 starts by carrying out method step 42. The control
software 35 therefore checks whether, after the issue of the
suggestion list, the user of the device 1 has meanwhile selected a
contrast medium K and whether this can be identified by the reading
device 31. As in the method according to FIG. 3, step 42 is
repeated until a contrast medium K has been identified.
[0062] Subsequently, in a (method) step 62, which replaces step 44
of the method according to FIG. 3, a check is carried out as to
whether the contrast medium K identified in step 43 corresponds
with a contrast medium K included in the suggestion list. Insofar
as this is the case (Y), it is ensured that none of the
contraindications G for the contrast medium K that has been
identified corresponds with the patient data D for the patient 2.
In this case, as in the method according to FIG. 3, the injection
is released by the control software 35 (step 45) and the advancing
speed of the electric motor 27 and also the desired temperature in
the temperature control unit are set according to the set of
instructions for use U for the contrast medium K that has been
identified (step 46).
[0063] Otherwise, if that is, the contrast medium K identified in
step 43 does not correspond with any of the contrast media K
contained in the suggestion list (N), the control software 35 cuts
off the electric motor 27 (step 47) and issues a corresponding
warning W in addition to a corresponding alert (step 48).
[0064] The variants of the method described with the aid of FIGS. 3
to 5 are preferably carried out fully automatically in the control
unit when the control software 35 is run, that is without active
input by the user.
[0065] The control software 35 described in the aforementioned as a
functional component of the control unit 33 can alternatively be
used outside the injection device 5, in particular as part of the
software 14 in the data processor 4.
[0066] The subject matter of the invention is not restricted to the
exemplary embodiments described in the aforementioned. In fact, a
person skilled in the art can derive further embodiments of the
invention from the description given in the aforementioned. In
particular, the individual features of the invention and the design
variants thereof described with the aid of the various exemplary
embodiments can also be used in different combinations with one
another.
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